Speaking to Palm Beach Illustrated, Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, unequivocally confirmed her involvement in JJ Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode 7 – answering the question with a straight ‘yes’.

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, previously insisted that none of the core cast had officially signed up, making Fisher the first to do so – and hopefully not the last if the rumours are to be believed.

As for what Leia might be like 30 years on from Return Of The Jedi, she added, “Elderly. She’s in an intergalactic old folks’ home [laughs].

“I just think she would be just like she was before, only slower and less inclined to be up for the big battle.”